January E-Blast

Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop January 2014 E-Blast Happy 2014 from your friends at Wheelhouse Detroit!

It's not just the holidays this year, people. We are open all year long...This winter, in Eastern Market, four days a week...in a shipping container no less...where we're selling Detroit Bikes and American-made bicycle products all winter long.

Location: Shed 4, Russell @ Division Hours: Friday & Monday, 11AM to 6 PM; Saturday, 8AM to 5PM; Sunday, Noon to 5PM

We are featuring the Detroit Bikes A-Type commuter bicycle, a minimalist bike with three-speed internal gears, a lightweight chromoly-steel frame and a durable, matte-black powder-coat finish made right here in Detroit. Wheelhouse also offers an "A+" model that includes American-made lights, lock, kickstand, mirror, bottle cage and bell for the consumer that wants to ride away with a bike that is fully-loaded. The A-Type retails for $550; the A+ for $700.

Other available brands include Wald baskets (KY); King Cage bottle cages, flask cages and bells (CO); Kabeltek lock cables (AZ); Wilson Bohannan padlocks (OH); Greenfield kickstands (NY); Walnut Studiolo leather accessories (OR); Detroit Cargo bicycle luggage (MI); Jogalite lights (NH); Park Tool bicycle-specific tools (MN); Trixie & Milo Fine Flasks (OR); panniers from Ironweed Bicycle Products (OR); Green Guru upcycled panniers and pouches (CO); and embroidered wool Walz Caps (CA). We are also carrying t-shirts (Wheelhouse & Tour de Troit) and even pedal-powered natural soaps!

Photos of the space and many of the products can be found here.

We will reopen at our Riverfront Location on March 14, 2014.

GROUP RENTALS & TOURS

Beautiful weather might seem a million years away, but you can prepare for your warm-weather fun now by booking a group rental or tour for your school, work or church group; pre-wedding excursion; or team -- like WSU Warriors Womens Basketball players, who rode with us last year!

Info on group tours here; rentals here; or email info@wheelhousedetroit.com for procedures and rates.

LOOKING AHEAD Since we opened in 2008, cycling opportunities in Detroit have really exploded (which is a GREAT thing!). We have more bike lanes, more rides, more advocacy...People often ask Kelli and Karen what they do over the winter and, to be honest, the answer is "work on more bike stuff!"

We've got so much in store for 2014, including helping out with the 13th Annual Tour de Troit (the event that inspired us to open the Wheelhouse!); expanding bike parking opportunities with the Detroit Tigers and continuing with Detroit City FC; a robust roster of tours; maintenance classes and group rides; and always more and better retail offerings...(we do have some new product lines coming, well, on-line, so stay tuned!

A couple of bike events coming up: The 2nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bike Ride on Monday. It's free, but requires registration, which can be found here. And then on the following Monday, author and blogger Elly Blue will be at Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co. talking about her latest book, Bikenomics: How Bicycling Can Save the Economy. More info here.

Thanks for your interest and see you soon!

April E-Blast

Hi everyone, It feels like we are still waiting for spring to begin, doesn't it? Now is the best time to bring your bike in for service, before you want to ride it, so it's ready for you when the weather turns. Plus, a basic tune-up is on special for just $40 for the rest of the month!

RETAIL

Wheelhouse carries the following bicycle brands: Sun and its urban offshoot, Origin 8; Kona; and, new for 2013, Brooklyn Cruiser and Detroit Bikes. Brooklyn Cruisers (pictured) come in single-, three- and seven-speeds and will begin arriving next week. Detroit Bikes, much like the Model T, are manufactured here and come in one color: black. They're expected to be here in July.

Every bike purchased from Wheelhouse is assembled by a trained mechanic, professionally fit and granted one free tune-up – with no expiration date. Prices slashed on all 2012 bikes and 2013 bikes are now arriving!

Want to ride more? You might need lights, a rack or fenders to make your ride safer and more comfortable. And guess what? We stock a full range of top bike accessory brands such as Continental, Topeak, Planet Bike, Bell, Giro, Axiom, Saris, Kenda, Park Tool, Knog, Michelin, Timbuk2, Kryptonite, Master Lock, Pedros and Jandd. What do you need? A tube, tire, saddle, bag, basket, pump, mirror, helmet…We’ve gotcha covered!

TOURS & RENTALS

This weather has caused us to postpone the start of our tour season a week, so we'll kick off the season with a tour of Belle Isle on April 20. Visit wheelhousedetroit.com/tours to read up on our offerings and make a reservation.

We also offer private tours, which are great as a corporate team-building exercise, non-profit fund-raiser, conference activity or pre-wedding excursion. Group rentals are also available at a discounted rate with an advance reservation. A downloadable PDF with more info can be found here and you can email us at info@wheelhousedetroit.com to set something up.

COMING UP...

There are so many amazing things approaching on the horizon...May will see the start of our fitness rides and maintenance classes and the Detroit City FC will kick off its season...June is Detroit Up North, River Days and the Motor City Bike Ride...July will be Bike the Bridge...and Tour de Troit is September 21...whew!

Also, stay tuned for info about our 5th Anniversary party in early May...You're invited!

Warmer weather is on its way, and we are looking forward to another great season here on the Riverfront.

Thanks, Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit

1340 E. Atwater Rivard Plaza, Detroit RiverFront Detroit, MI 48207 313-656-BIKE (2453) www.wheelhousedetroit.com Follow us on Twitter @wheelhouse_det Become a Facebook Fan of Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop!

July E-Blast

Happy July! There is nothing we appreciate more here at the Wheelhouse than you! Your patronage is very important to us, and we hope that we’ve earned it.

Retail+Service Through the end of the month, we are throwing in a Planet Bike Blinky light set with the purchase of any new bike! We carry cruisers and hybrids from Kona, Sun and Origin 8. Any bike purchased from Wheelhouse Detroit comes with a free tune-up with no expiration date.

Now you can wear the Wheelhouse! You can pick up one of our t-shirts for just $15 at the shop or $20, including shipping, via our website.

We aim to provide fast, fair and quality service. To do so, we require bikes to be dropped off, so that we can work on them in the order that they are received. We do not perform on-the-spot repairs. Depending on the day, we can get it back to you in a few hours or by the next day — but it can take longer if we need to order parts or there is a backlog. We do our best to communicate whatever the situation and timeline might be. Thanks for the opportunity to work on your beloved steed!

Tour the city with Wheelhouse! Our tours continue to be a big hit. What’s so great about them? Well, they are developed in concert with the community that we visit or with an expert in the area that we will be discussing. To provide a safe ride and so that everyone can hear the guide, we limit our group size to 15 riders — which is why so many of our tours sell out. But you’re in luck! We do have spots open for Hamtramck and Eastern Market this Saturday, two of our most popular tours…so here’s your chance if you’ve been “meaning to take one!” Check out our roster and make your reservation at wheelhousedetroit.com/tours.

We do offer private group tours, which are great as a corporate team-building exercise, non-profit fund-raiser, conference activity or pre-wedding excursion. We’ve worked with Compuware, Quicken Loans, University of Detroit Mercy, Wayne State University, University of Louisville, Seco Tools…and lots of random groups of friends and families! Group rentals are also available at a discounted rate with an advance reservation. We’ll even throw in helmets and locks! Give us a call at 313-656-2453 or email Kelli to set something up.

What’s up for July Our bi-weekly maintenance classes with Fender Bender are scheduled for July 24, August 14 & 28 and September 11 and 25. They start at 6 p.m. and last two hours. You’ll learn a little something about fixing your ride and commuter safety. Classes cost just $5 and include a patch kit.

We also have Wheelhouse Workouts every other Wednesday — July 18, August 1 & 15 and September 5 & 19. We aim to pedal 15 miles an hour, up to 20 miles. These rides are free, fast and fun!

For whatever reason, there aren’t a ton of cycling events in Detroit in July, but the rest of the season is jam-packed. Mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Colin Hubbell Memorial Ride (8/11), J-Cycle (8/19), Compuware Motor City Bike Ride (8/25), PEAC’s Celebration of Cycling (9/8), Tour de Ford (9/9), and of course, the big one, Tour de Troit (9/15)!

In closing, remember that Wheelhouse is open everyday, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hope to see you soon!

Thanks, Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit

June E-Blast

Hello there, Wheelhouse friend! Please accept our apologies for being so super late with our monthly e-blast but, guess what? We've been busy! So here's a brief note to get us through the Fourth of July holiday and then hopefully we will get back on schedule!

We are open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the following exceptions: We are closed on Monday, June 25 due to the Fireworks. We will be open holiday hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4.

2012 Detroit River Days Festival If you are visiting the shop this weekend, please be mindful that that the 2012 River Days Festival will be in full swing, happening June 22-24, 2012! Thousands of Detroiters and visitors will be visiting the Detroit International Riverfront with the return of the this fantastic festival, so anticipate pedestrian traffic on your ride over, or increased vehicular traffic if you are driving (please note that the Rivard Plaza parking lot adjacent to our shop is closed for festival staging).

Tour Info Be sure to visit wheelhousedetroit.com/tours to read up on our complete roster of offerings and to make a reservation as many of them do sell out. We cap registration at 15 riders to ensure a safe ride and that everyone can hear the guide!

We also book private tours, some with families and friends, others for work outings. Just a heads-up, we are now booking for the end of July and beyond, so keep that in mind if you are planning an outing. Give us a call at 313-656-2453 or email us at info@wheelhousedetroit.com to set one up!

Classes & Workouts! Mark your calendars for our bi-weekly bike maintenance classes taught by our friends at Fender Bender! The two-hour Tuesday workshops includes instruction on how to change a flat, patch a tube, adjust your seat and handlebars plus some trouble-shooting tips, Rules of the Road discussion and commuting guidelines. Classes cost just $5 and include a patch kit. Remaining dates are June 26; July 10 and 24; August 14 and 28; and September 11 and 25. They start at 6 p.m. sharp and are first-come, first-serve.

Every other Wednesday, join us for Wheelhouse Workouts, a 20-mile fitness ride at a moderate pace (12 to 15 mph) with a varying route. This ride is offered in conjunction with our friends at FitnessWorks, who will kindly provide participants with a rest and water stop. Remaining dates are July 18; August 1 and 15; and September 5 and 19. This ride is FREE!

Wear Wheelhouse! Our sharp Wheelhouse t-shirts are available at the shop for $15, or you can pick one up online here for $20 (as modeled by Wheelhouse's own Adam Bedell, starting defender for Detroit City FC).

Other Great Bike Happenings Coming up on June 30 is The Thunderdrome! a two-wheeled race (both motorized and non- in several different classes) that takes place at the until-recently abandoned Dorais Velodrome in northeast Detroit. It costs 5 bucks to spectate, and that enters you into a raffle for this new bike provided by none other than the Wheelhouse! It should be a fun event to ride or watch!

Registration is open for the Eleventh Annual Tour de Troit. This year, the date is September 15. Early bird registration is open through June; the price starts to jump after that! More info in future editions about the Colin Hubbell Memorial Ride (August 11), Jcycle II (August 19) and Compuware Motor City Bike Ride (August 25).

Don't forget! Wheelhouse provides free bike valet at all Detroit City FC home games, which are held at Cass Tech. You can find us on the south end of the field. The remaining games are 23 and July 1, with playoffs expected. If you haven't made it to a match yet, you are really missing something special. We love Le Rouge!

Here at the Wheelhouse, we strive to provide a great offering of bike-related retail stock and exceptional bike service. We turn bikes around typically in one to six days and are still carrying an array of new bikes and bike accessories at what we consider to be fair prices!

Thanks for your patronage, Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit

March E-Blast

Here is our March E-Blast. It has info about the upcoming season and special tune-up prices and bike sales. If you like what you read, you should sign up on our website! We send out emails once a month that let you know what's up at the Wheelhouse and in the greater world of Detroit cycling. Happy spring, dear Wheelhouser!

We are so thrilled to be kicking off our 2012 season this weekend! We officially open our doors at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 16 and we'll be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through April -- we go to a seven-day-a-week schedule beginning May 1. Roll on down and say hello!

Show your bike some love Whether your trusty cycle has spent the winter lonely and unused or you took full advantage of the mild winter, it more than likely needs a tune-up! This weekend only, we are offering an extra-special deal in honor of the 3rd Annual Marche du Nain Rouge, which will take place Sunday, March 25 at 1 p.m. in the Cass Corridor. Drop your bike off and utter the magic phrase, "Get that Nain off my back!" and a full tune-up will run you just 35 Bucks!

For the remainder of our spring season, a tune-up will cost $40 and in May, it jumps up to our regular price of $50.

A tune-up entails a complete inspection, adjustment and lubrication of your bicycle. We adjust gears and brakes, true wheels, adjust the headset and bottom bracket and check all nuts and bolts. We will also lube your bike as needed. We will perform all repairs necessary to put your bike into the best shape it can be for safe and reliable operation. If your bike needs any new parts, we will let you know, but parts and installation labor are not included in the initial fee. We recommend tune-ups once a year at a minimum for all bikes.

Shop local, shop Wheelhouse! In the market for a new ride? Our 2012 stock will be arriving in the next month, so we have slashed prices on any 2011 bikes that remain in stock including an Origin 8 Cutler 7-speed for $255 (Reg. $330) and a single speed for $225 (Reg. $299); Sun Drifter 7-speed step-through in blue for just $310 (Reg. $360); single speed Sun adult trike in white for $330 (Reg. $370); Origin 8 Brutus for just $375 (Reg. $500); Kona Smoke for $350 (Reg. $429); and Kona Jake for $599 (Reg. $899).

We also have a robust selection of tubes, lights, bags, racks, locks, helmets, tires and more so come by and shop Wheelhouse for those accessories your bike has its heart set on!

As featured in National Geographic Traveler! Over the last four years, we have learned what works and what doesn't in terms of bike touring and are committed to fun, informative and safe outings that enhance the communities that we visit. This year, we have over 90 tours on our calendar. Where will we pedal? Southwest Detroit, Hamtramck, Eastern Market, Belle Isle, Indian Village, Palmer Park, the Conner Creek Greenway....and many other fascinating Detroit neighborhoods. What will we discover? Architecture, Urban Farming, Automotive Heritage, Public Art, Underground Railroad History...and lots of other compelling aspects of Detroit's history -- and present.

Last year, most sold tours out, so we recommend visiting our Tours Page today to peruse our calendar of offerings and reserve your spot today. You can also download a handy-dandy one-pager listing here.

We also want to make sure you know that we do private group tours, which are great as a corporate team-building exercise, non-profit fund-raiser, conference activity or pre-wedding excursion. Group rentals are also available at a discounted rate with an advance reservation. Give us a call at 313-656-2453 and we'll set something up!

What's in the works for 2012 At the shop, you'll see a mix of familiar and new faces. Of course, Karen and Kelli are back, along with Alex, Ron and Rob and our team of amazing tour staff: Brian, Mike D., Todd, Patrick, Mike G., Paul, Marc, Tiffany, Melissa and Jeremy. You'll also be meeting some new employees, including Sarah, Tatiana and Mari in the coming weeks, so be sure to stop by and introduce yourself!

We have a ton of plans for the season, culminating with the Eleventh Annual Tour de Troit, which is set for September 15. There's also the inaugural Detroit Up North on June 8 and Compuware's Motor City Bike Ride on August 25 for starters, so we will be sure to let you know about registration opportunities for them as well as others that are still in the works.

We will also be hosting a FREE bi-weekly Wednesday night ride in partnership with FitnessWorks. Also bi-weekly, but on Tuesdays, we'll be holding low-cost maintenance workshops in partnership with Fender Bender. More details to come!

Last but not least, we are super-excited to be a sponsor of Detroit Bike City at Cobo Center on March 24. We will have a vendor booth at the show and will also be providing free attended bike parking. Hope to see you there!

In closing, we can't thank you enough for your past support of Wheelhouse, and are really looking forward to another year exploring the Motor City on two wheels.

Sincerely, Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit

1340 E. Atwater Detroit, MI 48207 313-656-BIKE (2453) www.wheelhousedetroit.com wheelhousedetroit.wordpress.com Become a Facebook Fan of Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop!

Tours + Tour de Troit

We are getting calls from Grouponers about the fact that our tours for the season are pretty much sold out. While we are very sorry that we won't be able to ride with you this year, we did offer 50 (yes, 50!) tours throughout the season, plenty of which were not sold out. We are exceedingly busy this week with the Tour de Troit, which has 3,225 (!) riders registered! We are looking forward to a stellar 9th edition of the TdT! See you at Roosevelt Park or at the shop for packet pick-up!

One last note, M-Bike has a great summary of all the cycling activities going on around town this weekend. With PEAC's ride last weekend to kick things off, we hope to evolve this into a proper Detroit Bike Week really soon.

TdT OMG!

If you are riding tomorrow, we encourage you to stop by today and pick up your packet. It'll make both of our mornings all the more pleasant. Plus you get to visit the Wheelhouse. Bonus! There were more than 1,500 cyclists registered as of this morning. We are really looking forward to a great day!

Tour de Troit

Register by tomorrow to ensure you pay only $30 ($25 for students) -- starting Saturday, the price jumps! Head to tourdetroit.eventbrite.com to do so!

CityFest Bike Parking + Tour de Troit Registration Info

Ride to CityFest & Leave the Parking to Wheelhouse!Wheelhouse is really excited to sponsor free bike parking at CityFest this year! If you've ridden there in years past, you've certainly noticed the, um, creative places people have had to lock their bikes. Well, this year, you can head to our corral, located at the southeast corner of W. Grand Blvd. and Cass, and we will keep your steed safe -- for free! CityFest runs from Wednesday, July 1 to Sunday, July 5. More info and a schedule of performances can be found here.

Tour de Troit Registration Kick-Off Ride TONIGHT, July 1, Tour de Troit registration kicks off! Meet us at the T-Plex between 5:30 and 7 p.m. to register for this year's ride, which is set for September 19. For one day only, it will cost just $25 to sign up; when online registration opens on July 2, the price will jump to $30.

After registering, we ride! We'll do a (free) ten-miler that wraps up at CityFest -- just in time to see De La Soul headline!

Read tons more about the TdT and registration here.

This Weekend @ The Wheelhouse

Don't forget the Colin Hubbell Memorial Ride on Saturday! Register here or show up at 8:30 a.m. at Scott Fountain on Belle Isle! It is River Days, which is good and bad.

The good: Our rentals are 33% off -- so a 2-hour rental will cost you just $10 instead of $15.

The bad: Parking can be an issue. For service drop-offs and pick-ups, drive straight down Rivard, on the garage door side of our shop. For rentals, you're going to have to pony up and pay for parking in one of the structures in the area. The closest one to us is at the NW corner of Atwater & Rivard. Spittin' distance. If you have any issues, give us a ring at 313-656-2453!

Finally, we are thrilled to announce some early info about this year's Tour de Troit. Pre-registration will kick off on July 1 at the T-Plex at 5:30 p.m. followed by a 10-mile ride that will end up at Comerica City Fest! Read all the deets here.